Bristol Aggie Education Foundation, Inc. provides over $24,000 in grants to students and staff

Dighton (February 11, 2020) - For the third year in a row, the Bristol Aggie Education Foundation, Inc. awarded scholarships in a competitive grant process which is open to students and staff. This year, the foundation was fortunate enough to provide grants in the sum of $24,373.00. “The great success of our Farm to Table Dinner provides this opportunity,” stated Robin VanRotz, Bristol Aggie’s Director of Community Partnerships and Foundation Liaison during the check presentation on Wednesday morning. “The fundraising is truly a team effort by the entire foundation board. A lot of people work really hard behind the scenes to make this possible.” John Mitchell, Foundation Board President, Bristol Aggie Board of Trustee Member and County Commissioner thanked the individuals and business that were sponsors of the Farm to Table dinner. “This would not be possible without the help and support of local businesses, Bristol Aggie staff and the agricultural community.” stated Mitchell.

Former school Superintendent and current treasurer for the Bristol Aggie Education Foundation, Inc., Mr. Stephen Dempsey presented checks to this year’s scholarship recipients. The Bristol Aggie Education Foundation, Inc. has provided grant funds in excess of $40,000 since it was established in 2016. The foundation helps support the students, faculty and administration of Bristol County Agricultural High School by raise funds through private sources for projects that help build on tradition, instill pride in the Aggie and cultivate excellence for the students.

This year’s student awardees are:

Ariana Lachance – Business Development for her Hoof & Heart Animal Care business by purchasing upgraded equipment to expand her service offering.

Lauren Paine – Business Development for her Educational Animal Show with a focus on educating the public about the conservation, behaviors and adaptations of her exotic animals.

Travis Perry – Business Development for his Livestock Management business by focusing on improving his livestock handling system.

Kenzie Casper – Business Development for her floriculture business, Casper’s Creations. Kenzie received a prior grant to purchase a small greenhouse. She will be using this grant to rehab and expand that greenhouse to grow her flower and plant offerings.

Christina Russell – Business Development for her floriculture business, Wild Bean. Funds will be used to purchase a mobile farm stand to enhance her visual sales location.

Lily Dias – Business Development for Dias & Daughters Farm. Lily is expanding her cattle project and will use the funds to provide secure fencing for newly acquired property.

The staff and department awardees are:

Mr. Craig Johnson – Science Department – Equipment for the development of a new “Electronics & Programming” course.

Ms. Kerstin Lindrooth – Physical Education – Development of a new Lacrosse program.

Mr. Latham – Landscape Design and Contracting – Software for inventory and labeling of plant specimens to develop the nursery program.

Ms. Gagne – Large Animal Science – Driving equipment for horse training and exercise.

The foundation board is excited to be able to provide this opportunity to the staff and students of Bristol Aggie. Board members for the foundation are:

John Mitchell, President - Bristol County Commissioner, Board of Trustee

Stephen Dempsey, Treasurer - Former Bristol County Agricultural High School Superintendent

Peter Beaton, Agricultural Community Member - Ocean Spray Grower and Owner Operator of Beaton’s

Ryan Nadeau, Alumni Member - Owner of Nadeau Tree Service

Joan Menard, Community Member - Former Massachusetts Senator

Julie Gagliardi, Community Member - Baycoast Bank, Vice President - Corporate Giving and Community Relations

The next Farm to Table Dinner will be held on September 12, 2020. Information will be posted on www.bristolaggie.org 

About Bristol County Agricultural High School
Bristol County Agricultural High School is an agricultural-vocational public high school set on over 200 acres of land Dighton, Massachusetts. The school has 7 agricultural offerings for their 450 students from across Bristol County and beyond: Large & Small Animal Science, Agricultural Mechanics, Arboriculture, Landscape Design & Construction, Floriculture, and Natural Resource Management.